Transportation expert evaluates Holland's nonmotorized trail network

Thursday

As the trolley traveled south over the River Avenue bridge, City Engineer Brian White had a question for John LaPlante.

White pointed to the sidewalk along Pine Avenue and asked the Chicago-based transportation expert if he had ever seen anything like that before.

LaPlante looked out the window to see staggered black gates in place near the intersection of the sidewalk and business driveways.

The gates, designed to deter cyclists from pulling out in front of truck traffic, made LaPlante cover his face with his hands.

“I have never seen it,” he said, noting the only exception was where a bike path crossed a railroad.

As the trolley traveled south over the River Avenue bridge, City Engineer Brian White had a question for John LaPlante.

White pointed to the sidewalk along Pine Avenue and asked the Chicago-based transportation expert if he had ever seen anything like that before.

LaPlante looked out the window to see staggered black gates in place near the intersection of the sidewalk and business driveways.

The gates, designed to deter cyclists from pulling out in front of truck traffic, made LaPlante cover his face with his hands.

“I have never seen it,” he said, noting the only exception was where a bike path crossed a railroad.

That area was one of a few spots in Holland and Zeeland that LaPlante identified Thursday, Aug. 28, as unfriendly to local cyclists.

LaPlante, a consultant with Tylin International, spent the day in the area at the request of the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council. It was part of the MACC’s 2008 Traffic Safety Forum.

The group wanted him to come to evaluate the area’s nonmotorized trail network and determine whether bike lanes were feasible for Holland.

“Our organization is trying to make bicycling more easily used for work,” said Steve Bulthuis, assistant director of the MACC.

LaPlante began the day presenting information about the types of cyclists and the types of paths that exist. He also answered questions from government officials and business leaders.

Then everyone got aboard a MAX trolley for a tour of Holland Township, the city of Zeeland and the city of Holland. LaPlante looked at nonmotorized paths, sidewalks and pointed out areas that would be good for a bike lane.

One spot ideal for a bike lane was Fairview Avenue in the city of Zeeland. The lane was wide enough to cut down a bit and mark a bike lane, LaPlante said.

He also suggested downtown Zeeland develop a bike route. It could go down Main Avenue if parking was rearranged to parallel parking on both sides. If not, Central Avenue might be a safe alternative.

LaPlante said each area — Holland, Zeeland and Holland Township — should develop a plan for a bike network. Then the parts could be pieced together.

He stressed routes, signage and street markings shouldn’t cost the area more than $100,000.

“90 percent of it you can do with 10 percent of your budget,” LaPlante said.

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